07.01.25, 20:30, Problemista (2023)

Kicking off the KASKcinema theme month is the equally poetic and painfully comic Problemista. We follow Alejandro, an aspiring toy designer who left his idyllic childhood in El Salvador to pursue his dreams in America like so many others. However, Alejandro chokes on the big apple of New York, ending up in a spider's web of administrative procedures, poorly paid jobs and everyday exclusion. Nearing despair, he strikes a Faustian deal with art critic Elizabeth (played by a fire-breathing Tilda Swinton) to become her personal assistant. At the mercy of her eccentric whims, Alejandro's life transforms into a neoliberal nightmare that takes on increasingly surreal forms.

This directorial debut from SNL sensation Julio Torres is based on the writer, comedian and form connoisseur's own experiences as a migrant weighed down by the weight of the American dream. Problemista, however, is cheerful rather than tearful. Cringe moments tickle the laughter muscles while the DIY production design conveys a sense of chaotic playfulness. Moreover, the love-hate relationship between Alejandro and his megalomaniac patron thumps like warm hearts in this contemporary fairy tale.

This film will be introduced by KASKcinema programmer Lennart Soberon.